The Oyo kingmakers and other individuals involved in the process of choosing a new king for the town have been advised to let history and tradition direct their search for a fill-in for the vacant throne.
Mama Sidikatu Ejide-Olona, an elderly princess of Oyo town, gave the advice in an interview with Kayode Oguntona in Oyo town.
She said the advice has become necessary to resolve the apparent impasse caused by adulterated history that the selection process is currently facing.
In order for the contestants to find the procedure acceptable, the 95-year-old Princess, who also serves as the matriach of the Adelabu Bababadan royal family in the historic town, emphasized the importance of honesty and bravery in preserving transparency.
In addition to urging Oyo sons and daughters to pray fervently for the right candidate to succeed Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Mama Olona also urged the government and kingmakers to put Yoruba traditional history and culture preservation ahead of other sectional considerations in order to maintain the Alaafin’s reputation as a revered institution.
She argued that doing so would prevent embarrassing and pointless judicial proceedings and the associated delays.
